Masquerade Read-Along Week One Chapters 1-8

Hi guys! Today is the first day of the read- along for Masquerade by Cambria Hebert. If you would like to sign up it’s not too late! Just go HERE and add yourself into the linky!

I’m co-hosting a read-along for Masquerade by Cambria Hebert for the month of April. This is going to be a total blast and I hope that you’ll all sign up! There’s going to be prizes (see more below) and we’re going to have loads of fun discussing this awesome book! It’s only $2.99 for the ebook and Cambria will give an ebook away to each tenth person who signs up!

Note: Some of you know that I’ll be taking a break from blogging indefinitely. I already committed to this read-along before that decision was made and so I’m still posting for it. But you may not be seeing many more reviews because as soon as my posts run out I’ll be done. I’ll still see you around the bookosphere though and you can find me on goodreads!

About the book:

Before. Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed. The worst part is that I can’t remember the night I was sentenced to the shadows. The memory has been stolen from me and I just can’t shake the feeling that someone, something is out there -watching.

Just when I think I have my life handled, Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realize that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. That they never mattered. I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.

***

Heven has no idea how closely death stalks her. She has no idea what I have done to keep her alive. I fear the day she learns my secrets, finds out what I really am. But even then I cannot stop, I vow to make things right. Finally her hunter will be hunted, Heaven and Hell, faith and sin will battle, and we will be victorious. But first, Heven must learn to be what she never imagined. I know her strength is there – I feel it. If we are to overcome all odds, she must push past her flaws – her frailties – to become much more.

1. If you were disfigured like Heven (by some sort of accident) do you think you would have reacted the same way as her? (loss of self confidence, hiding yourself, etc)

It’s so hard to say but I suppose at least to some extent I would. It’s just like on fat days (or fatter days) I don’t really care about dressing nice or putting on makeup.

2. Do you think that Kimber’s plan for revenge against Cole (for kissing another girl) is a good idea?

No way! It was frustrating watching her kind of sabotage things for herself. At least that’s how it felt, she was just screwing things up even more.

3. In the beginning chapters, Heven is very drawn to Sam but won’t admit it due to her own insecurities. Kimber begins to “date” Sam… do you think that Heven should have spoken up? Do think Kimber should have seen Heven’s real feelings?

I think Kimber should have seen Heven’s real feelings but I think Heven is so use to hiding that it’s second nature to her. And Heven feels she has no chance at all with him so I guess I understand why she wouldn’t have admitted it or spoken up.

4. Masquerade is broken in four separate POV’s: Heven, Sam, The Hate and The Hope. Do you think having multiple POV’s adds depth to the story? Why or why not?

I feel like we get to know them better and their objectives, or true feelings. I think the short bits of The Hate and The Hope works well but has me dying of curiosity for more!

5. A great source of strength for Heven is her grandmother. Who do you think yours is/would be?

I suppose my mom is but we are so different so I think sometimes it’s hard for me to tell her everything. Other times I don’t hold back and feel comfortable telling her everything. So I’m not sure if it’s because of our rocky past (I was a horrible teenager) or just our differences (she’s super religious like Heven’s mom), I’m not sure.

Next Weeks Questions:

April 12th – Candace at Candace’s book blog

Chapters 8-16 5 discussion questions:

1. Sam is admittedly drawn to Heven before they even meet. Why do think this is? 2. In an earlier chapter The Hope states that Sam must prove himself. During these chapters Sam does some things – bad things – (covering up murder, fighting, hiding a body, etc.) all to protect Heven and his true identity. Do you think he was right to do these things?

3. In chapter twelve Kimber says some thing’s to Heven that make the reader wonder about their friendship. Do you think there is any truth Kimber’s drunken confessions? If so where do you think Heven and Kimber’s friendship goes from here? 4. Heven is changing, becoming more confident. Do you think that after something like this (her accident and disfigurement) happens to someone that she can ever go back to the person she was before? Do you think she will want to? 5. Toward the end of these set of chapters, Heven finds out Sam’s secret, who he really is. She has a strong reaction. Do you think you would react the same way? Why or why not?

Prize Packs:

The giveaway will be open to all who participate in the read along each week. There will be a Grand Prize and a Runner up prize pack.

Grand Prize:A signed paperback copy of MasqueradeA PDF ARC of Charade (Heven and Hell #2)An Ecopy of Between (A Heven and Hell novella due out in April)Two signed BookmarksA Bubble Tea pack to include everything you need to make and enjoy your own bubble tea. (tea mix, colored tapioca pearls, fat straws and a drinking cup)Necklace with Masquerade mini book charm made by Southwest Sky Jewelry

About Candace

Candace is an eclectic reader that loves young adult and adult books. She also reviews children's and middle grade books because she's the mother of two children. She's been blogging since 2008 and is also the owner and operator of CBB Book Promotions.

I totally get the fat days–been happening too much for me lately. Thank goodness for yoga pants (though they’re not acceptable at work, darn it all). Still, I can’t imagine being disfigured like Heven, especially as a teen when you’re still trying to figure out who you are!

I know I should be addressing your answers to the read along questions but I want to say instead I WILL MISS YOU!!!! I’ve had such a good time visiting your blog each day, and I hope you return to us eventually:)

This read-along is so cool. I loved your answers to the questions. And I’ve seen this book around but didn’t know as much about it as I do now.

I found your answer to #2 to be very interesting. I hate watching characters sabotage themselves. I want to reach into the pages of the book and shake some sense into them. But on the other hand, it’s very realistic. We all sabotage ourselves all the time.